The Healthcare Committee keeps League members up-to-date on pressing healthcare issues; new them each year guides speakers and discussion; always concerned about healthcare costs, availability and quality.

2016

We will be looking at problems in Marin caused by ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Marin is now an aging community. What is the impact of Alzheimer's in Marin County? Most of us now know someone affected.

What should Marin County be doing?Who should be held responsible for planning and implementing a co-ordinated countywide response to this quiet growing problem?

Is it time for the United States to develop a greatly expanded nationwide research response as we did for HIV/AIDS?Do olderpeople with this illness have fewer advocates and less public appeal?Have these patientsbecome somewhat invisible?

Can a person with Alzheimers live alone?For how long?When must they move?

Where can they go in Marin? Costs?How long can people live with the disease?

Factors in assessing the impact on families in balancing the burden of providing full-time care:* The potential cost of in-home care?* The potential cost of nursing home care?* What costs does Medicare cover?* What costs does Medicaid cover?* Do patients (or their families) have to spend down all their savings?* How can families evaluate the care provided by in-home caregiver and in other various settings?* The financial responsible for long-term paid care?

Should more working people invest in long-term care insurance?Why should long term care insurance be so expensive?

Is there an ombudsman service now for Alzheimers families

What steps should Marin be taking NOW?

MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL IS NOW YOUR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

The hospital you see from the street as you drive down Bon Air Road in Greenbrae is the new west wing of Marin General Hospital. That very striking modern triangular building - the west wing - was completed in the early nineties. However, if you turn off at the entrance and drive to the back of the hospital grounds you will see the two large hospital buildings built by the newly founded Healthcare District Board in the 1950s, just after World War II. Although those buildings were very modern at the time, sixty years later they cannot meet the state’s current seismic standards. Marin General Hospital is overdue for an upgrade to modern hospital construction. We must remember that we in Marin all live in close proximity to two major earthquake faults. The hospital must proceed with its plan for constructing a new building, not only seismically safe, but also equipped with appropriate technology and information systems. The next big commitment is to raise the necessary construction funds through a combination of a bond issue, major and smaller donations, and private funding sources in the next two years.

The League of Women Voters of Marin - recognizing the important role of Marin General Hospital in providing high quality health care for the residents of our community - began sending member/observers to the public meetings of the Marin Healthcare District Board starting back in 1985. The League occasionally presents statements about our concerns and positions. Much progress has been made in the last twenty -five years. We wish Marin General Hospital success in continuing the complex improvement efforts currently under way.